Damon Braces in St. Charles, IL by Prose Orthodontics
When it comes to improving our patients’ smiles, Prose Orthodontics believes in using the latest, most efficient technology and techniques available. This is why we use the innovative Damon System to straighten our patients’ teeth.
Traditional braces have long been the standard in orthodontics; they’re effective, but they aren’t always the most efficient. Not only do Damon Ultima braces provide faster orthodontic treatments, but they boast superior comfort compared to traditional braces.
Along with improving lives by improving smiles, we strive to teach our patients how and why our orthodontic treatments are the best. As you read on, you’ll discover what Damon Braces are and their benefits, and we’ll answer many of the frequently asked questions that we receive about braces. We’re here to make the best smiles in the St. Charles, IL community, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions!
What Are Braces and How Do Braces Work?
Whether you’re talking about traditional braces or Damon Braces, both dental appliances use brackets and wires to apply pressure to teeth in order to shift them into more desirable positions.
Braces are used to correct a wide range of problems, like overlapping teeth (crowding), overbites, underbites, crossbites, and more. They’re one of the most reliable orthodontic treatments for straightening teeth, and Damon Braces take the reliability and efficiency of traditional braces to the next level.
Types of Braces Treatment Available At Prose Orthodontics
At Prose Orthodontics, we offer our patients the latest in orthodontics with Damon Ultima self-ligating braces. The effectiveness of this dental appliance puts them a step ahead of traditional braces, and the Damon clear bracket alternative garners even more appeal, while maintaining their awesome teeth straightening capabilities.
Damon Self-Ligating Braces in St. Charles, IL
The incredible Damon Ultima self-ligating braces are made of high-grade stainless steel, and the key feature that sets them apart from traditional braces is their brackets. Damon Braces use brackets with a sliding mechanism to hold the steel memory wire in place instead of the elastic ties used by traditional braces.
Damon brackets are also smaller, reducing friction and making it easier to maintain oral hygiene. The “self-ligating” feature of these appliances enables the brackets to apply consistent, gentle pressure to tighten the memory wire over time, which helps to reduce treatment time compared to their traditional counterparts. Ultimately, the technology behind these advanced braces will move your teeth more efficiently and require fewer visits to the orthodontist – even though we love seeing you!
Damon Clear Braces in St. Charles, IL
Damon clear braces are the nearly invisible alternatives to their steel counterparts, but they work just the same. Because of their translucent appearance, they’re similar to Invisalign clear aligners in that they’re more suited for those who prefer a discreet way to straighten their teeth. With Damon clear braces, people may not even realize you’re wearing braces, but they will definitely see the amazing results once your treatment is complete.
You get the best of both worlds with these braces: a highly aesthetic dental appliance that won’t stand out and an innovative teeth-straightening treatment that will give you brilliant results.
Clear Aligners in St. Charles, IL
If you don’t like the idea of having wires in your mouth and want a more flexible orthodontic treatment, Invisalign clear aligners may be the solution for you.
These “invisible braces” come in the form of a series of custom-made trays that gradually straighten your teeth. Though clear aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day, they are adaptable to each patient’s lifestyle as they can be removed for eating, brushing, flossing and other occasions.
Prose Orthodontics Can Start Your Damon Braces Treatment in St. Charles, IL Today!
Prose Orthodontics believes the St. Charles community deserves the best, most advanced orthodontic treatments available. That’s why we exclusively offer our patients Damon Braces, which promise to create beautiful smiles with comfort and ease.
When you get high-quality appliances, like Damon Braces, you also get high-quality, compassionate service from Dr. Prose and the Prose Orthodontics team.
We promise that you’ll have a positively memorable experience with us and get the smile you’ve always wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces
Traditional braces and Damon Braces both use stainless steel for their brackets and wires. The difference is that the Damon brackets are also made of polycarbonate material. The clear Damon brackets are made of ceramic and can be tooth-colored or transparent.
What’s also special about the Damon Braces is that they use stainless steel memory wire instead of the heavier archwire used with traditional braces. The memory wire is much lighter, and it works perfectly with the smaller, self-ligating brackets.
Because of how Damon Braces are designed, they have the ability to give patients a broader smile. This is the kind of smile preferred by more than two-thirds of adults. The other benefits of Damon Braces include:
- A shorter overall treatment time.
- Fewer appointments and less adjustments compared to traditional braces.
- Smaller, elastic-free brackets that reduce friction on the surface of teeth and make dental hygiene easier to maintain.
- Enhanced comfort compared to traditional braces because of the smaller brackets and light memory wire.
The self-ligating technology of Damon Braces allows for less frequent visits to your orthodontist compared to traditional braces. You may only need to have an appointment every 6-8 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing appropriately. However, every patient’s treatment and needs are unique; your orthodontist will advise you on how often you should come in for a check-up.
Damon Braces can fix a wide range of dental issues including:
- Crooked teeth/malocclusion
- Gapped teeth
- Overcrowded teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Limited range of motion in the jaw
Every treatment is unique, but the treatment process for Damon Braces is usually as follows:
Consultation
First, you’ll meet your orthodontist and their team, and you’ll be able to express your goals for your smile and any concerns you may have. During this time, your orthodontist will also complete an oral examination to discover the best treatment plan that will suit your needs. This is when it will be determined if Damon Braces are right for you.
Treatment
If you and your orthodontist decide that Damon Braces are right for you, then treatment can begin! At Prose Orthodontics, we use iTero Digital Imaging to capture 3-D images of your smile, avoiding messy and uncomfortable impressions. From those images, Dr. Prose will be able to plan the movement of your teeth with Damon Braces. Once your treatment plan is set, you’ll be ready to get fitted for your new braces! This will usually be your longest appointment with the orthodontist.
Follow-up & Maintenance
Dr. Prose will arrange follow up appointments with you, as needed, to adjust your Damon Braces. You’ll enjoy fewer and shorter appointments after your braces are fitted because of the self-ligating technology and the memory wire that is simple to replace. After your treatment is complete, Dr. Prose will likely provide you with a retainer so that you can maintain your new, beautiful smile.
If you’re thinking about when would be the best time to get braces for your child, between the ages of 9 and 14 would be ideal. With that being said, you’re never too old for braces. According to AARP, more than 4 million people in the U.S. wear braces, and about 25% of them are adults!
There are many factors that affect the length of any orthodontic treatment, so there is no true average treatment time for Damon Braces. However, the treatment time has been proven to be shorter than traditional braces with some patients seeing results in as little as 6 to 8 months.
Maintaining the integrity of your braces and your dental hygiene will be key to the success of your braces treatment. Because braces aren’t removable, like clear aligners, there are certain foods that are better for you to eat during your treatment, such as:
- Soups (with soft cooked vegetables and warm broth)
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Seafood (be mindful of bones)
- Soft fruits
- Soft cheeses
- Pasta
- Eggs
- Smoothies
We recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. When brushing, make sure to use gentle, circular motions in order to effectively remove any food particles that may be present below the gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and attentively, ensuring you reach all areas between your teeth, braces, and each individual tooth surface. It is important to dedicate several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Don’t forget about your tongue and the roof of your mouth – give them a gentle brush before rinsing out your mouth.
Flossing when you have braces may take some practice, but it is definitely worth the effort. The first step to flossing is maneuvering the floss beneath the wire that connects your brackets. To accomplish this, a helpful tool called a floss threader can be used to guide the dental floss under your archwires. Alternatively, there are pre-cut dental floss options available with a stiff end which makes it easier to insert underneath the archwires.
Once the floss is successfully placed under the wire, you can proceed by wrapping it around one side of a tooth. Next, gently push downwards towards your gum line and then pull upwards towards the wire. This motion should be repeated four or five times in order to ensure all plaque is effectively removed. It’s important not to exert too much pressure on the wire. After completing one tooth, wrap the floss around its neighboring tooth and repeat this process.
Once your braces are taken off, you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain the position of your teeth. Retainers play a crucial role in the treatment process, just like braces. You’ll wear your retainer until your teeth have fully adjusted to their new alignment and until your bones, gums, and muscles have adapted to the changes in your dental structure. Wearing retainers after orthodontic treatment is completed ensures the long term maintenance of the alignment of your teeth and bite.
